Archive for June 7th, 2018

TORONTO (June 1, 2018) - Mark Spector, President of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, and Chuck Kaiton, President of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association, announced today that Larry Brooks will receive the Elmer Ferguson Award for excellence in hockey journalism, and Joe Bowen will receive the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster.

Larry Brooks began his hockey writing career as a beat reporter at the New York Post, covering the New York Islanders and New York Rangers in the 1970s. His insight caught the attention of the New Jersey Devils, who hired the rising star to serve as the team’s vice president of communications and radio color commentator. After ten years with the Devils, Brooks rejoined the New York Post and began his current streak of 22 straight seasons covering the Rangers. Since 1995 Brooks has also been the Post’s national NHL columnist.

“Over the years Larry Brooks became the most important read on one of the NHL’s most important beats, the New York Rangers,” said Spector. “Beyond his edgy, colorful and on-point coverage of the Rangers, Brooks’ weekly Slap Shots column has become destination copy for readers across the hockey world.”

Joe Bowen began his broadcasting career calling hockey games for his hometown Sudbury Wolves. After a short stint with the American Hockey League’s Nova Scotia Voyageurs, Bowen began a 36-year run as the voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Currently teamed with Jim Ralph on TSN 1050 and Sportsnet The Fan 590, Bowen has described the action for more than 3,000 games to some of the world’s most dedicated hockey fans. As passionate in the community as he is on the airwaves, Bowen has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Leukemia research, and was named an ambassador for the city of Sudbury in 2002. Bowen also received the George Gross Award as Sports Media Canada’s broadcaster of the year in 2013.

“Joe Bowen’s contagious enthusiasm in the booth has entertained Toronto Maple Leafs fans for decades,” said Kaiton. “The voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs is an extremely worthy recipient of the 2018 Foster Hewitt Memorial Award.”

Brooks and Bowen will receive their awards at the “Hockey Hall of Fame NHL Media Awards Luncheon” in Toronto on Monday, November 12, 2018, and their award plaques will be displayed in the Esso Great Hall at the Hockey Hall of Fame alongside past award recipients.

Recipients of these awards, as selected by their respective associations, are recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame as “Media Honourees” ─ a separate distinction from individuals inducted as “Honoured Members” who are elected by the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

The 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend begins on Friday, November 9, 2018, culminating with the Induction Celebration on Monday, November 12, 2018. This year’s inductees will be announced on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.

Named in honour of the late Montreal newspaper reporter, the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award was first presented in 1984 by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association in recognition of distinguished members of the hockey writing profession whose words have brought honour to journalism and to the game of hockey.

Named in honour of the late “Voice of Hockey” in Canada, the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award was first presented in 1984 by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association in recognition of members of the radio and television industry who have made outstanding contributions to their profession and to the game of hockey.

All games broadcast on Fox Sports 980 AM and streamed via the Dragons website at www.daytondragons.com. Broadcasts are also available on the Dragons app for Apple and Android devices.

**Dragons On TV**

The games on Saturday and Sunday against Bowling Green will be televised on Dayton’s CW (WBDT-TV). It is available on the following outlets: Cable Channels 13 and 1013, Direct TV and DISH Network Channel 26, and over the air channel 26.1.

For both Saturday’s and Sunday’s game, WDTN Sports Director Jack Pohl will join Tom Nichols on the call for the TV broadcast.

**For Your Entertainment**

Friday, June 8

The Dragons will have their first ever “Defeating Cancer Night” featuring a special jersey to be worn by players and coaches for the first time ever. After the game, jerseys will be signed and auctioned off and all proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. A portion of ticket proceeds will go to the ACS and Pink Ribbon Girls.

As part of “Defeating Cancer Night”, Andrew Heil, a two-time cancer survivor will throw out the first pitch and the Dragons will acknowledge cancer survivors during the game. Prior to the game, there will be cancer information stations and giveaways.

The Dragons Drumline will perform once again before and after the game on the plaza and well as during the game on the field.

Before the game, youth baseball programs can march in the pre-game parade around the ballpark in front of fans, sponsored by IGS Energy.

Elda Ensemble will perform the National Anthem.

Saturday, June 9

Saturday is a Wendy’s Friends and Family Night at the ballpark with special offers and entertainment. It’s the best deal for fans!

BirdZerk! returns to Fifth Third Field for antics with players and umpires on the field during inning breaks.

For the third time this season, kids will take the field with Dragons players for the National Anthem as part of the Kroger Baseball Buddies program.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will be on the plaza before the game with an archery trailer and watercraft simulator along with other activities! Fans can stop by for some pre-game fun and information on how to take advantage of fun summer activities.

Before the game, youth baseball programs can march in the pre-game parade around the ballpark in front of fans, sponsored by IGS Energy.

Rumpke will have a brand-new garbage truck on the plaza for fans to get a closer look at how their trash is picked up.

Montgomery County Environmental Services will be passing out water bottles upon exit of the game to encourage use of the bottle in place of one-use materials to help reduce waste.

All kids will have the chance to run the bases after the game.

St. Ignatius School will perform the National Anthem.

Sunday, June 10

Sunday is a Wendy’s Friends and Family Night at the ballpark with special offers and entertainment. It’s the best deal for fans!

The ZOOperstars! return to Fifth Third Field for in-game entertainment and antics.

For the fourth time this season, kids will take the field with Dragons players for the National Anthem as part of the Kroger Baseball Buddies program.

Before the game, youth baseball programs can participate in a parade around Fifth Third Field sponsored by IGS Energy.

Jimmy Keys returns to the ballpark to delight fans with organ music.

All kids will have a chance to run the bases after the game.

The National Anthem will be performed by Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish.

Monday, June 11

Montgomery County Environmental Services host the first Heater’s RBI Night of the season. Fans that participated will be recognized for recycling efforts and can pick up special gifts. The next RBI Night will be August 15.

Great Clips will have a booth on the plaza before the game with an interactive prize wheel and free giveaways.

Roosters Road Show returns to Fifth Third Field for free wing sampling in the main plaza starting at 5:30 p.m. prior to the game.

The Retirement Village People will be back to entertain fans during inning breaks.

St. Luke Choir will perform the National Anthem.

**Dragons On The Field**

The Dragons are proud to have five All-Star selections for this year’s Midwest League All-Star Game on June 19 in Lansing. Representing the Dragons will be catcher Hendrik Clementina(chosen as the starting designated hitter), outfielder Stuart Fairchild, first baseman Montrell Marshall, and relief pitchers John Ghyzel and Cory Thompson. With five selections to this year’s All-Star roster, the Dragons have now had 12 players picked as mid-season All-Stars in the Midwest League over the past two seasons.

The Dragons have six players on Baseball America’s Top 30 Reds Prospects list. This group is led by Reds number-two overall pick in the 2017 draft Hunter Greene. Greene is the second-rated prospect in the organization behind former Dragon Nick Senzel. Other top prospects on the Dragons roster include middle infielders Jeter Downs (#11 prospect) and Jose Garcia (#12). Outfielders Stuart Fairchild (#16) and Miles Gordon (#26) have shown versatility around the outfield this season. Packy Naughton (#28) is the lone left-handed pitcher on the Dragons roster.

Former Dragons player and hitting coach Luis Bolivar returns for his second year as manager. Former major leaguers Daryle Ward and Kevin Mahar return for their second seasons as hitting coach and bench coach, respectively. Former major league pitcher Seth Etherton joins the staff as pitching coach after spending last season in that role with the Billings Mustangs, short-season affiliate of the Reds.

Today’s Game: The Dayton Dragons (affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds) meet the Lake County Captains (affiliate of the Cleveland Indians) in the last game of a three-game series. Season Series to Date: Dayton 7, Lake County 3.

2018 Team Notes

The Dragons need three home victories to tie the franchise record for most home wins in a half (25). They have four home games remaining, all against Bowling Green.

The Dragons are 22-10 at home; 7-18 on the road. Their team ERA at home is 4.24 compared to 6.80 on the road. They are scoring more runs per game on the road (5.2) than at home (4.4). They have allowed 27 unearned runs on the road compared to 12 at home.

In an indication of the Dragons high number of close games, they lead the league in saves with 19 but also have nine blown saves. They are 15-11 in one-run games, with 26 of their 57 games decided by one run. They are 21-1 when leading after eight innings, with the only loss coming Tuesday.

2018 Individual Notes

Hendrik Clementina is hitting .341 on the year with a .652 slugging percentage. He is fourth in the MWL in home runs with nine and eighth in RBI with 34 despite not having enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting lead (he is two short of the minimum). With his current averages, he would lead the league in slugging percentage and OPS, and rank third in batting average if he qualified. Clementina was named the Cincinnati Reds Minor League Hitter of the Month for May after batting .329 with seven home runs and 20 RBI in the month.

Miles Gordon has a five-game hitting streak, going 6 for 18 (.333) with two doubles, a triple, and a home run.